Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-06-16
CLOSE or rnr rsrrnslrroslL COUNCIL.
An Interesting snd HarmonIous session-Em-
phauc Opposition 70 the severalty Act.


The council al Eufauis adjourned ~ ~'aY
evening the 9sh inst after an in.creatinJ apQ
harmonious session Of four days. The tribes
and hands represented were eighteen IN num-
Der and were from All portions Of the Indian
Territory. The amount Of business transacted
was small but highly signincant OF the
sincerity OF sentiment OF the Indian people
upon the subject 20 which II referred. The
opposition 10 tho act passed at the late session
OF congress- for the allotment Of land IN sever
atty TO Indians was emphatic and 30 In regerd
10 acts Incorporating companies TO construct
railroads through the territory without the
consent Of the Indians whose domain IL invad-
ed by them The appeal TO the president not
10 enforce the former upon an unwilling aud
protesting people and the explicit protest
against the latter doubtless voices the senti-
ment OF not only the delegates 20 the council
but Of their people at home. Nor Is this mere
idle sentiment The grounds OF their objec-
tion TO both Of these measures are founded in
law, Jlstico and soaud policy and will be car
ried into effect only by the force Of arb'ti ary
power They we'll know that the allotn,nt Of
only small portions OF their own lands an sHe
multiplication Of railroads throughout their
country in whose presence and control they
have no voice means NJ simply intended.
their spoliatiOn at an early day. To expect
them, therefore, TO restrain appeal and pro-
test IL to expect more from them than those
engaged in pushing forward these schemes
would themselves silently acquiesce In II they
were the victims instead Of being the pcrpe-
tratora. The Indian has learned by long and
sac sx. arienoo hot TO place his trust in princes
nor at all times in congress and hence they
ask that they may be allowed to have the right
OF testing before the Judicial tribunals Of the
United States government itself, all enact
ments involving their rights OF soil or others
OF q vested character. They believe in the
continued integrity and Independence OF the
Judiciary and are willing and anxious TO abide
their decrees in all such questions. VIII the
privilege be allowed them OF be withheld
until the wrongs which they believe are being
done or threatened have become facts consum-
mated2 The appearance OF the delegates
from nearly all the tribes represented was in
marked contrast with that presented at coun-
ellis held ten years since; much less at that held
at Tahlequah In ISIS. The delegates came,
many ofthem. from as far north as the Mis-
souri, river, south from beyond Red river and
from the western boundry OF the territory.
They came on horses and mules and wore
huhting shirts, leggins and moccasins, or in
many cases with their heads shaven and paint
ed and with blankets or buffalo robes around
their bodies. At the late council they came
by rail or In comfortable spring wagons and
the great majority OF them properly clothed
and in their right minds. Improvement may
be slow but It is surely going on. As usual on
such occasions there was much speaking and
Interpreting during the setting OF the council
ana some IL ofhigh order In both substance
and sentiment. Additional interest and
variety was given to the council by the pres
ence OF Bishop Galloway, OF the NJ. L. Church,
South who delivered to It by invitation an
address OF an appropriate and eloquent char
acter. 0fthe native takers the number was
too numerous to mention. The council ad-
journed to meet at Fort Gibson the Grst Tues
day in May, 1888, unless sooner convened by
the president